Aa
Disability
My Doctor recommend that i get on Disabitliy?? Just wondering how many of you are on it?
Thank you all for your post. I just call my gyno doctor to see if he would send me a letter stating that i have had depression for the last 6 years.. My nurse also stated that he had documented extreme fatigue on my chart.. I hope that this will work..
Hello everyone! In reading some of the posts that have popped up here and there on this topic over the past several months, I find that there is a lot of well-intended misinformation out there. Definitely, the systems between the U.K. and the U.S. are different. I would have no clue what to do to apply for government-supported disability in the U.K., although I have a friend in the U.K. who has been on disability for several years due to her Hep C.
But to respond to your first question, Nick:)--I am on social security disability now. I fought against applying for a long time, but when I finally did apply, my app flew through without a hitch. I applied in late February of this year and by June, I was receiving my first check.
I know it isn't usually this easy for many people. Once, I was even told that EVERYONE who applied received a denial on the first try UNLESS they were "terminal". But that simply isn't the case. I applied once before several years ago and ended up waiting 3-1/2 years to get a "partially favorable" decision and settlement, and that was before I had this MS diagnosis. The "partially favorable" decision (something that most doctors have never seen, so I once carried it with me to a new doctor's appointment) agreed that I was medically disabled, but pointed to $2400 I had earned in consulting fees 18 months into waiting for a favorable decision from the SSA. The judge said that although I had earned nothing after that date and nothing before that date, still I had earnings, therefore I was not disabled. Amazing. My attorney begged me to appeal the decision, but I was too beaten down by waiting 3-1/2 years to wait any longer. I accepted the decision and my settlement.
All sorts of factors are considered by social security. Your age will be one factor (if you're under 50, chances are you'll be denied, at least at first). But do not be discouraged if you feel that you are at a stage where you simply must apply for assistance. Obtain a copy of your medical records and go through them slowly, reading and highlighting each diagnosis. Nowadays, the SSA form on-line will request that you list your diagnosis/diagnoses. If you have more than one, it can be helpful to you obtaining SSDI.
It is pretty typical to apply and instantly receive a "canned" denial, though, and my case wasn't "special" or "charmed". It was just obvious, I think, through the dx of several doctors who were treating my (current) multiple issues that it was time for me to be approved, and so I was. But that doesn't mean that you must have multiple issues to be approved, or that it isn't time for you to be approved right now with the diagnosis and issues you are able to document.
In the U.S., if you apply and are denied, immediately respond by writing a simple letter, stating that you do disagree with the SSA's decision. If you get a second denial, then you may take the matter to an attorney who is knowledgeable in working within the system. Don't give up if you know you cannot work any longer. I have not heard of any 7-year rule in the U.S., but you may certainly know more than I do on that account. If you are in the U.S. and the SSA is denying you based on a 7-year rule when you have the necessary credits in the bank to allow your disability, I think I would consult an attorney. Good luck with this! I know that all of us with MS may one day reach a day when we just cannot continue working. It seems terribly unfair to have to keep on fighting for an income to sustain life when you are already fighting a dreadful disease. God bless...
But to respond to your first question, Nick:)--I am on social security disability now. I fought against applying for a long time, but when I finally did apply, my app flew through without a hitch. I applied in late February of this year and by June, I was receiving my first check.
I know it isn't usually this easy for many people. Once, I was even told that EVERYONE who applied received a denial on the first try UNLESS they were "terminal". But that simply isn't the case. I applied once before several years ago and ended up waiting 3-1/2 years to get a "partially favorable" decision and settlement, and that was before I had this MS diagnosis. The "partially favorable" decision (something that most doctors have never seen, so I once carried it with me to a new doctor's appointment) agreed that I was medically disabled, but pointed to $2400 I had earned in consulting fees 18 months into waiting for a favorable decision from the SSA. The judge said that although I had earned nothing after that date and nothing before that date, still I had earnings, therefore I was not disabled. Amazing. My attorney begged me to appeal the decision, but I was too beaten down by waiting 3-1/2 years to wait any longer. I accepted the decision and my settlement.
All sorts of factors are considered by social security. Your age will be one factor (if you're under 50, chances are you'll be denied, at least at first). But do not be discouraged if you feel that you are at a stage where you simply must apply for assistance. Obtain a copy of your medical records and go through them slowly, reading and highlighting each diagnosis. Nowadays, the SSA form on-line will request that you list your diagnosis/diagnoses. If you have more than one, it can be helpful to you obtaining SSDI.
It is pretty typical to apply and instantly receive a "canned" denial, though, and my case wasn't "special" or "charmed". It was just obvious, I think, through the dx of several doctors who were treating my (current) multiple issues that it was time for me to be approved, and so I was. But that doesn't mean that you must have multiple issues to be approved, or that it isn't time for you to be approved right now with the diagnosis and issues you are able to document.
In the U.S., if you apply and are denied, immediately respond by writing a simple letter, stating that you do disagree with the SSA's decision. If you get a second denial, then you may take the matter to an attorney who is knowledgeable in working within the system. Don't give up if you know you cannot work any longer. I have not heard of any 7-year rule in the U.S., but you may certainly know more than I do on that account. If you are in the U.S. and the SSA is denying you based on a 7-year rule when you have the necessary credits in the bank to allow your disability, I think I would consult an attorney. Good luck with this! I know that all of us with MS may one day reach a day when we just cannot continue working. It seems terribly unfair to have to keep on fighting for an income to sustain life when you are already fighting a dreadful disease. God bless...
Hi, I live in the Uk and presume the systems are different . a lot of people here find it difficult claiming various benifits due to the unpredictability of the condition (as well as the changing political situation).
jules
jules
i will have to fight for it also.. I have been unemployed for 7 years and the limit to file for disabily is 5 years after employment.. I have been a stay at home mom, I have 7 year old twins.. I have enough credits, but since i have been unemployed for 7, they denied my claim... Do they think that MS just starts over night??? Any ideas on how to get on it. I have sewed and monogrammed since I have been home, now I just can not hold out to work as much!
I am on social security disability. I had to fight for it, and fortunately, my congressman fought for me and that's why I got it. The judge called my lawyer and said, "I want to get that congressman off my back" lol. The judge said I would have to be reevaluated because MS improves...no joke, he actually said that. Hmmm, I wonder what he's been smoking! I was one of the fortunate ones, it only took me 2 years. The judge played with my disability date and went no further back than one year, but at least I have that money coming in every month now. If you apply, you have to understand that it's not an overnight process and can, and probably will, take several years and require an attorney in the long run. Many people are ignorant about how disabling MS can be and think that with dmd's people can "revert" back to a non desease status. You also have to be off work for 6 months before you can file. I was blessed that I was able to live (barely) without it and hold out. I don't know if this helps at all, and I don't mean to sound discouraging. You just have to be prepared for it to take a while.
Welcome back, Nickismydog.
Are you referring to disability insurance through your employer/workplace or are you talking SSDI through Social Security. The former would be thought of as temporary, where the latter would be considered permanent.
There is an upcoming teleconference on the process of applying for SSDI that might be of use to you ... I have posted the details on the new group LIVE MS EVENTS -
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Live-Events-for-MS/show/879?camp=msc
be well, Lulu
Are you referring to disability insurance through your employer/workplace or are you talking SSDI through Social Security. The former would be thought of as temporary, where the latter would be considered permanent.
There is an upcoming teleconference on the process of applying for SSDI that might be of use to you ... I have posted the details on the new group LIVE MS EVENTS -
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Live-Events-for-MS/show/879?camp=msc
be well, Lulu
Hello, and Welcome to the Forum :) I do not believe we have chatted yet.
As to your question I am not quite sure the statistic on that one. I know that some
are already on SSD and some are in the process of applying for it.
Sorry I can not help out any more than that. Sorry to hear of your MS diagnosis.
Are you currently on any DMD's? Again, Welcome :)
~Tonya
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
